Small hay grapple.

[powerscol]

Well folks - after picking up another cutting by hand the other day I have been looking into this more. This is what I found so far.

Hoelscher Hay Systems Model 50

Grappalator

Steffen Systems | Hands free haying

408 Grabber

I am leaning towards the Steffens TBH5-B unit with an additional side bar so the unit can work as an accumulator too in the field. Thoughts? The Bale Handler | 1.888.543.8429

Last question - how many times can you engage and disengage the hooks in the bale? I will be running around the field, and instead of sliding the bale to the next for pickup, I was hoping to grab it, move the the next, disengage, align the second one, the grab again and so on. Will this approach work?

I will load on to a 20' equipment trailer and I do understand some re-stacking for interlock will be required. This is a small operation at 25 to 70 bales per field.

 

[Bigfoot62]

The Steffen link is the only one that works, and it does not show that specific model. Couldn't really tell which one you are referring to.

Someday, I want to have a square baler, accumulator and grapple. I plan on the Steffen.

 

[powerscol]

I made some edits so the links work - don't know what happened

 

[SSdoxie]

I would try lifting and carrying the bale(s) any great distance, the bouncing across the field could cause the hay to tear loose at the hooks. It doesn't seem to hurt the bale any to slide it. I don't have an accumulator but the last 100 bale load I purchased, picked up in the field this year, I had to pick up and load by myself. I used my tractor with pallet forks and empty pallet to load. First I set the forks to widest position without the pallet and used it as an accumulator colleting 4 bales at a time and pushing them to a central location. Then put the pallet on and stacked bales on the pallet to raise up to trailer load height. It sure beat pulling trailer around the field, getting on & off with each bale and throwing it up on the load and stacking as a one man operation.
I am in design mode of a combination accumulator/grapple.
Keep us posted on what you decide.

 

[powerscol]

You and I think alike as I too used the pallet forks to gather up the bales. I actually set them closed and was able to slide under and get 3 at a time - still had to lift into the truck by hand though, or stack 10 to a pallet and drive slow out of the field

 

[Walcar]

Might want to look at a hay basket like the E-Z trail. Baler pushes the bales up a chute into the basket then you dump it at the barn. Will do about 100 bales per load.

 

[Verticaltrx]

This past spring I built a 'bale sweep' type accumulator and it has worked excellent. I modeled mine after the Rocky Mountain Bale Sweep: Rocky Mountain Bale Sweep. I use it on my skid steer and can pick up 1000 bales a day and never touch a one. With flatbed trailers I can load them on a trailer and not get out of the machine. Only have to handle them when you stack them in the barn. I only have $300 in metal/parts in mine, but even at their price it would be well worth it. Only thing is that you have to use it on a skid steer for the visibility.

 

[powerscol]

Walcar. I believe it would be too much weight to pull with my tractor, assuming it goes behind the baler. Good thought though.

 

[powerscol]

Verticaltrx - I looked at that, but wondered about visibility from my tractor seat - should be OK. However I want to be able to unload and stack from the trailer into the barn if possible. Thanks for the thought.

However they also make a grapple. I have asked if they make one in my size.

 

[TX0303]

Check out Maxilator Hay Handling Equipment, it's a combo accumulator and grapple. Good thing about it is you can remove the guides and it becomes a regular grapple for barn work. It also rotates the last two bales for interlock.

 

[powerscol]

I did but it is too big for my tractor. I need a 6 bale unit I can afford. Weight of the units is the issue for my tractor. Still waiting on a couple of responses on folks that can modify their existing units.

Thanks for the help though.

 

[powerscol]

Well folks I made the plunge. After talking to all the folks on my list, only one was willing to work with me on my compact tractor. Some wanted too, but the price got prohibited. After double checking weight, and knowing what I lifted and moved with my pallet forks (12 60# bales on 42" folks) I realized the 8 bale unit would be a real load.

So I went conservative and ordered the 205 unit with modifications, from Grabber | Kuhns Mfg LLC. They went to the trouble to try and design a 6 bale unit, but it too was near capacity. With the 205 unit I can pick up long wise or cross wise to get bale interlock when stacking. The side bar is removable for loading folks too. Ask for John - these folks are great to work with.

 

[farmerwanttobe]

Hello All,

I just bought a square baler and now needing an accumalator. I'm looking at the Maxilator Accumagrapple. 10 bale. Anyone use this on a tractor with any luck. Most of the promotional videos show it on a skid steer.
Thanks everyone!

 

[powerscol]

Yes this will work on a tractor if you have front hydraulics and the QA set up to run it. You will need to match the weight of the unit to the bales carried and you tractor capacity, probably with out ballast, unless you add. I went without as I wanted to use my 3 PT hitch to move my trailer around the field as I loaded it. Search my user name for photos I have posted.

Another way to go is a separate accumulator tied to the baler (groups bales into blocks) and a matching grapple. Kuhns has matching set up's, Kuhns Mfg LLC | Innovation in small square bale handling., as well as others. (search hay bale accumulators) Prices vary over a large range. In my opinion I found the best value at Kuhns

The Maxilator was too heavy for me and would not work well for stacking and un-stacking my trailer and barn with the middle assemblies. thus my choice. In the future if I keep at this I may get their accumulator that is matched to my grapple, but I would need a bigger tractor to pull the combined unit.

 

[powerscol]

I thought I would update this thread. This is the unit I got attached to my tractor.

Between yesterday and today it handled 298 bales twice (load and unload) I had also stacked and covered 100 bales in the field in case of rain. I only had to manhandle one bale that a string brook on. The unit is the perfect size that I can see around in stacking. This is a view from the drivers seat.


The unit will handle 4 bales either way for good stacking. After a while you can get pretty quick of sweeping in and grabbing a bale and moving to the next. The repeated engagement and release of the hooks and re engagement at each pick up does not damage the bale. For my tractor it is the perfect size to run without counter balance, but I do have filled tires.

This is a shot (below) of my 23' goose neck I haul on. I have gone 3 high with a 4th level centered without problem (I now have a deck to level out the drop tail) . I have a Titan 3pt goose neck hitch on the tractor.


All I can say was this was the best money I have spent yet (besides the inline baler) for my business. Hope this helps others.

For folks wondering it the 205 Compact Bale Grabber from thees great folks, Specialty Grabbers My next investment might be this 8 Bale Flat | Kuhns Mfg LLC I just need to figure out if I can handle it or find and alternative.

Happy Haying :thumbsup:

 

[ProjectKing]

I thought I would update this thread. This is the unit I got attached to my tractor. <img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=472671"/> Between yesterday and today it handled 298 bales twice (load and unload) I had also stacked and covered 100 bales in the field in case of rain. I only had to manhandle one bale that a string brook on. The unit is the perfect size that I can see around in stacking. This is a view from the drivers seat. <img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=472672"/> The unit will handle 4 bales either way for good stacking. After a while you can get pretty quick of sweeping in and grabbing a bale and moving to the next. The repeated engagement and release of the hooks and re engagement at each pick up does not damage the bale. For my tractor it is the perfect size to run without counter balance, but I do have filled tires. This is a shot (below) of my 23' goose neck I haul on. I have gone 3 high with a 4th level centered without problem (I now have a deck to level out the drop tail) . I have a Titan 3pt goose neck hitch on the tractor. All I can say was this was the best money I have spent yet (besides the inline baler) for my business. Hope this helps others. For folks wondering it the 205 Compact Bale Grabber from thees great folks, Specialty Grabbers My next investment might be this 8 Bale Flat | Kuhns Mfg LLC I just need to figure out if I can handle it or find and alternative. Happy Haying :thumbsup:

I'm very impressed with this. It would be awesome to see a video! So what is total weight of grabber and 4 bales?

I have seen accumulator grabbers that skid the bales across the ground. Seems like this could damage the bales. Sounds like you engage and disengage hooks at every bale pick. Never damages bales? Thanks for sharing!

 

[powerscol]

I'm very impressed with this. It would be awesome to see a video! So what is total weight of grabber and 4 bales?

I have seen accumulator grabbers that skid the bales across the ground. Seems like this could damage the bales. Sounds like you engage and disengage hooks at every bale pick. Never damages bales? Thanks for sharing!

Here are the grabber specifications.

205 Compact Bale Grabber

Picks up 5 bales on edge
Ideal for compact loader tractors
Compatible with the 10 bale edge and 15 bale edge arrangements

205 Working Dimensions: 36”L x 72”W
205 Shipping Dimensions: 42”L x 72”W x 22”H
205 Weight: 340 lbs

Requires:
Loader with at least 750 lb lift capacity*
One set of remotes

*Lift capacity is an estimate based on an average bale weight of 40-50 pounds. However, it is up to the individual to determine their specific loader requirements.

I have an extra set of hooks so say 350 lbs for the unit and 4 bales at 75 each makes a total of 650 lbs. I can lift and move this weight without needing rear ballast.
Yes I do engage and disengage usually for each bale, but can sometimes swing into two or three before hooking up. Over several thousand bales moved, I have broken two strings - my fault though as you can set the hook spacing to miss the strings. If it happens I stay engaged and just retie with a bit of extra twine. You do not want one of those units that skid across the ground as you cant unload easily and cant pick up and load out of the stack. Also there are some grapples out there without the removable side bar - you do need this.

As for a video visit Kuhns Mfg LLC | Innovation in small square bale handling. - they have several and there are others on YouTube.

Hope this helps

 

[ProjectKing]

Here are the grabber specifications. 205 Compact Bale Grabber Picks up 5 bales on edge Ideal for compact loader tractors Compatible with the 10 bale edge and 15 bale edge arrangements 205 Working Dimensions: 36”L x 72”W 205 Shipping Dimensions: 42”L x 72”W x 22”H 205 Weight: 340 lbs Requires: Loader with at least 750 lb lift capacity* One set of remotes *Lift capacity is an estimate based on an average bale weight of 40-50 pounds. However, it is up to the individual to determine their specific loader requirements. I have an extra set of hooks so say 350 lbs for the unit and 4 bales at 75 each makes a total of 650 lbs. I can lift and move this weight without needing rear ballast. Yes I do engage and disengage usually for each bale, but can sometimes swing into two or three before hooking up. Over several thousand bales moved, I have broken two strings - my fault though as you can set the hook spacing to miss the strings. If it happens I stay engaged and just retie with a bit of extra twine. You do not want one of those units that skid across the ground as you cant unload easily and cant pick up and load out of the stack. Also there are some grapples out there without the removable side bar - you do need this. As for a video visit Kuhns Mfg LLC | Innovation in small square bale handling. - they have several and there are others on YouTube. Hope this helps

Wonderful information!! Thank you very much!